Ultimate work truck/ 70 K10 diesel

[muddstir]

Your fab work is impressive and this truck will be sweet.

[woodwright]

I swear I had good intentions..........


The crossbar on my transfer case had some play in it and I wanted to tighten it up. I took the crossbar out, and drilled out the holes in the shift rails for bigger pins. However, when I tried to drill out the crossbar, it is so hard it actually ground down my drill bit. So now, the holes in my shift rails are 3/8", and the crossbar holes are 5/16".

So my options are to disassemble my transfer case and track down some other stock rails, or twin stick it. I'm leaning towards twin sticks.

[propanemudtruck]

Originally Posted by woodwright

I'm leaning towards twin sticks.

I didn't see any other options... Is it just me?

[woodwright]

I'm almost done with the shifters. I had it basically done, but i realized it was gonna hit the floor so I had to redesign it. I'll post some pics soon.

[woodwright]

Got some progress to report on my TC shifters. I set the cab back on to make sure of clearances.






Work has been really slow. I've been part timing at a fab shop with a waterjet. I drew these Dodge valve cover spacers on Autocad and cut them out of 1/4" aluminum.

Pretty cool what you can do with a waterjet. If anybody needs anything cut, PM me and I'll get you a quote. If I can draw it in Autocad, I can cut it.

[jbclassix]

I love the fab skills you got!

By the way... I just put one and one together and got 3500. I'm curious to see how long that NV3500 lasts. In 150K miles Mine was rebuilt twice... and that was behind a 350. The 3rd time it went out I replaced it with a NV4500. The 3500 did shift smooth though...

[woodwright]

yeah we'll see. The 3500 cost me $150 and I like the gear spread better than the 4500. If the 3500 doesn't work out I would rather find a Tremec TKO than the 4500.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by woodwright

yeah we'll see. The 3500 cost me $150 and I like the gear spread better than the 4500. If the 3500 doesn't work out I would rather find a Tremec TKO than the 4500.

Why the TKO over the NV4500? The NV4500 would be a better choice IMO. The gear split isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Try a ZF5 and tell me about the gear split.

[woodwright]

I don't have any use for the super low 1st gear on a 4500. My BIL had a early 90's ford with a 7.3 and I'm assuming a zf5. It was a blast to drive. 1st gear was still a little low though, but it shifted fast and smooth. I've only ever driven the dodge version of the 4500, Is the chevy version different? The other thing I don't like about it is the LONG shift throws. On my brothers dodge, 1st gear would almost hit the dash, and second would almost reach the seat. The zf5 seemed to have pretty short throws.

[jbclassix]

There are 4 different versions of the 4500. We will say there is a wide ratio and a close ratio... then there is the early shift tower version and the later shift tower version. chevy used the wide ratio 92-94 close ratio 95+ Dodge used the close ratio only. Chevy used the late style shift tower 95+ and Dodge went to the late style in 98. The later style 4500 works AWESOME behind a diesel if you use a high axle gear. 6BTs are awesome with the 4500 and 3.55s. The 6.5L with the 4500 is awesome with 3.42s for stock size tires and 3.73 for 33s and 35s.

[woodwright]

I did some research on the tko last night after I posted and I don't think it will work. First gear is a bit too high and the shift tower is too far back. Tremec also made a 4050. I wonder what its like. I think the gearing is similar to the 4500, but I wonder if its any smoother.

[woodwright]

For now I'm gonna run the 3500. If I ever need to replace it, What year 4500 should I look for? It would need to be a 2wd unit. If I can find a dodge one, can I put a gm bellhousing on it? And will the 3500 hydraulic clutch MC work?

[jbclassix]

Originally Posted by woodwright

For now I'm gonna run the 3500. If I ever need to replace it, What year 4500 should I look for? It would need to be a 2wd unit. If I can find a dodge one, can I put a gm bellhousing on it? And will the 3500 hydraulic clutch MC work?

1995... look for a 1995 GM unit. The NV3500 clutch cylinder will swap right over. 1994 and earlier will have the super low 1st and wide spread between 2nd and 3rd. 1996 and later use a different internal style clutch release. You can use a dodge unit, but you will need the Advance Adapters bellhousing... The 1995 will also have the later shift tower.

Here is how to visually identify what you want to look for in the chevy NV4500

bellhousings
1992-95- have the housing on the lower passenger side for the external cylinder
1996+ has a large cut-out in the drivers side for the hose for the internal release
NOTE: bellhousings are not interchangeable. Case to housing bolt pattern is different.

top covers
1992-94 shift lever has the same style retainer as the SM465... round spring locked cam
1995+ shift lever housing is removable. It is square with 4 bolts. This top cover also solved the 3rd synchro failure problem.
NOTE: top covers are interchangeable

cases (bellhousing removed)
1992-95 input bearing retaining plate has a collar for the throw-out bearing to ride on. Use with external cylinder style bellhousing
1996+ input bearing retaining plate has NO collar for the throw-out bearing. Use with internal style bellhousing



One more thing... you shouldn't have an issue with this since your t-case is further back, but when I was mocking the NV4500 up in my 70 (married 205) the driveshaft was VERY close to the boss on the bellhousing for the external cyl. how does yours look? The 3500 and 4500 release cylinder housings are identical.

[woodwright]

Thanks JB. I'll keep my eyes open. My driveline has about a foot of clearance from the slave cylinder.

[Dieselwrencher]

Another thing on the diesel NV4500's whether GM or Dodge, is that the gearing is slightly different than the gas ones. I prefer the Dodge 98 up NV4500's.

[woodwright]

My dad has a 98 cummins dodge. Tranny seemed the same as my brothers 94. But I haven't driven either in quite a while. Can you shorten the shift throws on them? Thats the one thing I liked about the 6 speed. The shift pattern was smaller.

[jbclassix]

95+ GM and 98+ Dodge there are short throw kits...

[MTCK]

Cool build! Looking forward to hearing it crank up!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by woodwright

My dad has a 98 cummins dodge. Tranny seemed the same as my brothers 94. But I haven't driven either in quite a while. Can you shorten the shift throws on them? Thats the one thing I liked about the 6 speed. The shift pattern was smaller.

Some early 98 dodges still have the old style top plate. So that means the big shift pattern. The easiest way to tell is to see if the shifter tower is bolt on, or if it's similar to a SM465. Where you have a steel ring to push and twist and the whole shifter comes out. The small pattern, quicker shifting style uses 4 bolts to bolt the shifter to the top plate.

[woodwright]

Pulled the motor and tranny, and was able to get a better shot of the TC linkage.


Lately I've been working on the peddles and linkage for the brakes and clutch.


I'm useing a hydroboost system from an 82 3/4T and the master cylinder that came with my tranny.

The hydroboost mounting was easy. I didn't have my camera with me when I did it, I'll try to take some pics when I take it back apart for paint. I also moved the pedals back about 3/4". Right now I'm working on the gas pedal. I picked up a pedal assembly from a 72 C10. I'll take some pics of that tomorrow.

[plummen]

Beautifull work,as usual!

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work. I was trying to decide where I was going to mount my MC for my clutch the other night too. Did the hydra boost just bolt right on? I hope so because I've got to put that on mine too.

[woodwright]

As far as the mounting, heres a picture.

As far as the linkage, you gotta figure out how long of a stroke the hydroboost needs, and measure how far the peddle arm moves at different heights until you find the right amount of movement. On mine, it ended up a little bit below the factory hole. My hydroboost came with the push rod, but it was a little short so I welded a small piece on the back of the peddle. For my clutch though, I made a new rod long enough to mount to the clutch peddle.

With the clutch MC, I mounted it in the vertical rib on the firewall. I cut some 1" pieces of 1/2" OD tube and sleaved the bolt holes between the rib and the firewall. I'll try and get a better pic of that.

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks for the pic and info! I might run 92-97 ford mc on top of mine because the dodge ones are a poor design where they go into the cab. The ford mounts with 2 bolts similar to the chevy style. I'm glad the hydra boost isn't a big deal to install on there. One less big hurdle to over come.

[woodwright]

You might check into running a Chevy one. Might be easier.